Adapted from Chapter 1 of Analysis, Argument, and Synthesis by Brassil, Coker, and Glover
Overall Purpose: the goal the speaker wants to achieve What speaker is trying to do? Win agreement……persuade to action….. evoke sympathy…..make someone laugh…..inform…..provoke….. celebrate an occasion…..repudiate (deny the truth or validity of)….. secure support…..bring about a favorable decision…..put forth a proposal.
THREE MAIN PARTS: Message, Audience, and Speaker
The Message: main idea - thesis, claim, or assertion Within the Message, the speaker uses logos. As defined: Logos: logical argumentation; appeals to reason. In Greek, logos means “word”. For us, it’s the content of the argument.
Clear main idea with specific details, examples, facts, statistical data, or expert testimony as support
Can also be thought of as the text of the argument, as well as how well a writer has argued his/her point.
Includes logical syllogism: chain of reasoning moving from general, universal principles to specific instances.
Also includes enthymeme: a shortened chain of reasoning that serve the purpose of a more practical and expedient way to argue.
To distinguish the two definitions, an examply of a syllogism is: All people are mortal (major premise). Aristotle was a person (minor premise). Therefore Aristotle was mortal (conclusion). Restructured as an enthymeme, this would be written as Aristotle was mortal because he was a person. The major premise does not need to be stated since it cannot be refuted that all people are mortal.
The Audience: the intended listeners to whom message is directed Pathos: appeals to the emotions and the sympathetic imagination, as well as beliefs and values.
Focuses on what the audience knows about the subject, their attitude towards it, and any common ground between the audience and speaker.
Can also be thought of as the role of the audience in the argument which includes:
Emotional appeals
Personal anecdotes
Diction (connotation)
Emotion = propaganda, polemic
Imagery - vivid, concrete descriptions and figurative language
The Speaker: the one delivering the message. While one may be delivering the message, the speaker also develops a persona (character the speaker or writer creates to achieve the purpose). Ethos: appeals to the writer’s character.
Expertise, knowledge, experience, training, and sincerity give the audience a reason for listening
Can also be thought of as the role of the writer in the argument, and how credible his/her argument is
Credibility and trustworthiness
Appeal to shared values
Can be established by the speakerʻs reputation
Impression can come from a tone of reason and goodwill
OUTSIDE INFLUENCES THAT AFFECT THE TRIANGLE
Assumptions: underlying beliefs or values which the speaker assumes he/she shares with the audience. The message becomes geared towards that.
Counter argument: the speaker anticipates opposing views and uses his established credibility to direct message towards the counter argument or fixed beliefs.
RHETORICAL CONTEXT (aka “Outside of the Triangle”) There are some influences which fall outside of the triangle. This is called Rhetorical Context. It refers to the occasion or time and place when the text is created. Sometimes situations arise from current event, cultural biases, or ceremonial settings. When reading a historical text, background information may not be known by the current day reader. Therefore, it is extremely important to read any preview information provided by the text or do some brief researching on your own before and after reading the text. Look for the year, geographical location, and historical events to determine how these factors influence the speaker, the message, and the audience alike.
Adapted from Chapter 1 of Analysis, Argument, and Synthesis by Brassil, Coker, and Glover
Overall Purpose: the goal the speaker wants to achieve
What speaker is trying to do? Win agreement……persuade to action…..
evoke sympathy…..make someone laugh…..inform…..provoke…..
celebrate an occasion…..repudiate (deny the truth or validity of)…..
secure support…..bring about a favorable decision…..put forth a proposal.
THREE MAIN PARTS: Message, Audience, and Speaker
The Message: main idea - thesis, claim, or assertion
Within the Message, the speaker uses logos. As defined:
Logos: logical argumentation; appeals to reason. In Greek, logos means “word”. For us, it’s the content of the argument.
The Audience: the intended listeners to whom message is directed
Pathos: appeals to the emotions and the sympathetic imagination, as well as beliefs and values.
The Speaker: the one delivering the message.
While one may be delivering the message, the speaker also develops a persona (character the speaker or writer creates to achieve the purpose).
Ethos: appeals to the writer’s character.
OUTSIDE INFLUENCES THAT AFFECT THE TRIANGLE
Assumptions: underlying beliefs or values which the speaker assumes he/she shares with the audience. The message becomes geared towards that.
Counter argument: the speaker anticipates opposing views and uses his established credibility to direct message towards the counter argument or fixed beliefs.
RHETORICAL CONTEXT (aka “Outside of the Triangle”)
There are some influences which fall outside of the triangle. This is called Rhetorical Context. It refers to the occasion or time and place when the text is created. Sometimes situations arise from current event, cultural biases, or ceremonial settings. When reading a historical text, background information may not be known by the current day reader. Therefore, it is extremely important to read any preview information provided by the text or do some brief researching on your own before and after reading the text. Look for the year, geographical location, and historical events to determine how these factors influence the speaker, the message, and the audience alike.